Higher National qualifications provide practical skills and theoretical knowledge that meet the needs of employers.
The HNC in Fitness, Health and Exercise (SCQF level 7) will give learners the key knowledge and practical skills required to pursue a career in the fitness, health and exercise industry. Learners will gain knowledge and expertise in a range of subjects including exercise programming, health screening, nutrition, first-aid for sport, exercise physiology, and anatomy.
The HND in Fitness, Health and Exercise (SCQF level 8) builds on the HNC and learners will advance their study of fitness, health and exercise activities and related areas. The HND covers a wide variety of subjects including personal instructing, strength management, and managing sports events.
The HNC and HND are available through colleges. Typically, an HNC takes one year to complete and an HND takes two years.
CIMSPA Recognition
The HNC and HND in Fitness, Health and Exercise provides the opportunity to gain membership with Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA). CIMSPA is the professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector, offering Scottish Colleges support with student and practitioner membership alongside partnership opportunities. CIMSPA has identified the standards for professional excellence and best practice in the sport and physical activity sector, members and partners are recognised for upholding and delivering these standards.
The SQA, sportscotland and CIMSPA have been working closely over the past few years to help support the development of the sport and physical activity sector through embedding CIMSPA Professional Standards into SQA qualification frameworks. CIMSPA are delighted to be supporting the SQA with this work and wider delivery across Scottish institutions which has supported the development of a CIMSPA partnership and membership offer specifically for Scottish Colleges.
HNC Fitness Health and Exercise – Gym Practitioner CIMSPA standards
Please note the ASP has been updated in September 2022. For centres who wish to register candidates with CIMSPA for Gym Practitioner, candidates must sit the HNC whilst also generating additional evidence by completing the associated appendix questions and assessors must ensure the additional observation checklist is completed during the formative or summative assessment. This must include candidates being observed during an individual induction AND a small group induction (minimum of 2 participants). Appendix worksheets with example answers are located in the SQA Plan, Teach and Evaluate Gym Based Exercise sessions H4TK 34 Assessment Support Pack.
Candidates must sit the HNC with the following units from the optional section:
Plan, Teach and Evaluate Gym Based Exercise Sessions (H4TK34)
HND Fitness Health and Exercise – Personal Trainer CIMSPA standards
For centres who wish to register candidates with CIMSPA for Personal Trainer Practitioner membership, candidates must sit the HND with the following units from the optional section:
Core Strength and Posture (H1S3 34)
Metabolic Considerations for Personal Trainers (H1S1 34)
Planning and Management of Personal Training (H1S534)
Deliver Personal Training Sessions (H1S434)
Additionally, there is an appendix to be completed in Assessment Support Pack for Deliver Personal Training Sessions H1S4 34/AEX001
